Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Stores I frequent in Manhattan

A recent whirlwind trip to NYC inspired me to compile a list of some places I like to browse and occasionally shop at while in Manhattan. I didn’t get a chance to go to ALL of these in my last trip since I was only there for two days, but I got a chance to buy some paper at Paper Icon for a new project I hope to start soon. I’ve broken them down into three catagories: Paper, Books, and Other.

P A P E R

New York Central63 Third Ave.This is an art supply store but I love their selection of handmade papers. Many things I’ve only seen on line and never in person. Their prices are very reasonable as well.

orMidtown140 West 57th Street(between 6th and 7th Avenues)A rather high-end boutique for paper goods but an excellent selection of letterpress cards and stationery (ie: a great way to see what other studios have been up to and a good source for inspiration).

Paper Icon7 West 18th StreetPaper and stationery supply store that also offers graphic design and printing services. I’ve also picked up some great handmade papers here.

Paper Presentation23 West 18th StreetThe NYC equivalent of Paper Source on steroids. Just down the street from Paper Icon.

B O O K S

Taschen Store107 Greene StreetThis is in the same neighborhood as the Phaidon store. It’s hard not to spend a week’s salary in the two stores combined.

Phaidon Store100 Wooster StreetWho doesn’t love books that Phaidon publishes. Beware if you are not ready to spend money on some inspirition.

Strand828 BroadwayBe prepared for 18 miles of books. You can find just about everything here.

O T H E R

Pearl River477 BroadwayA plethora of Chinatown tchotchkies, clothes, food, housewares and whatever else you can think of all under one roof. MoMA Design and Book StoreStreet, NYCBetween 5th and 6th AvenuesOrMoMA Design Store, Soho / MUJI at MoMA81 Spring Street, NYCBetween Crosby and BroadwayMostly fun to look but don’t touch. OK sometimes touch. But they also have the best selection of graphic design books I have ever seen. Keep me away!

Uniqlo546 BroadwayThe Japanese’s answer to American Apparel at half the cost and without the sleaze. By far, this is my favorite clothing store. And this is the only location in the US. No trip to NYC is complete without a stop at Uniqlo. Hint: best to go on a weeknight, Saturdays you are bound to hit an enormous line for the dressing room.

Note: I was going to include the bookbinding supply store Talas on this list but it seems that they are no longer in Manhattan and I haven’t been since they relocated to Brooklyn.